Yılmaz Büyükerşen

Yılmaz Büyükerşen (born 1936 in Eskişehir, Turkey) is a Turkish politician, educator and current elected Head of Central Municipality of Eskişehir.

Biography

Büyükerşen graduated from Eskişehir Academy of Economics and Commercial Sciences (then Anadolu University) in 1962. During his academy years, he worked as a reporter, columnist, caricaturist and editor in various newspapers. With his friends from academy, they established the Chamber Theater and afterwards the Municipal Theater with the money collected from selling their [blood] to blood banks.

Following his graduation, he was awarded with assistantship at the finance department of the academy. In 1966, he competed his Ph.D. In 1968, he became associate professor; and in 1973, he became professor. Also in 1973, he prepared a model for Open university in Turkey. In 1976, he was elected as the chairman of the Eskişehir Academy of Economics and Commercial Sciences. In July 1998 he was awarded an honorary degree from the British Open University as Doctor of the University.

In 1982, with the new Law of Higher Education in Turkey, he was elected as the rector of Anadolu University by the president of the Republic of Turkey. After his 5-year term ended, he was elected again in 1987 by President Turgut Özal. Besides this post, he served as a member of Higher Council of Radio and Television (RTÜK), and he was elected to chairmanship of RTYK twice. In 1993, with the new Law of RTUK, his chairmanship ended.

He established the first school of cinema and television in Eskişehir. He focused on culture and literature with establishing faculties of Literature, Communication Sciences, Applied Fine arts and also State Conservatory.

Buyukersen is also the only professional wax sculptor in Turkey. The wax sculpture of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk in Anitkabir Museum was created and shaped by Buyukersen.

Politics

In the elections of April 18, 1999, he was elected as Metropolitan Mayor of Eskişehir from the Democratic Left Party (DSP) with 44% of total vote. During his first term, he has executed the package of "Urban Development Projects". He also started the construction of Estram, the electrified tram system in Eskişehir.

In the municipal elections of March 28, 2004, he was elected again with 45% of votes, again under Democratic Left Party (DSP). Due to his success and high popularity, he is widely regarded by the Turkish media as a future leader of Turkish left.

He was elected for a third term in the March 2009 elections.

In January 2011 he left the DSP and changed in February 2011 to the Republican People's Party (CHP)

He has been credited as an example of how a capable and progressive mayor can transform a functioning conservative city into an art museum.

He is married, with 2 children and 2 grandchildren.